March 2014 78260 61 for web

A Monthly Publication Directly Mailed to the residents of Timberwood Park, Canyon Springs, Lookout Canyon, Riata Ranch and surrounding areas Postal Customer

March 2014 Issue

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March 2014 • Welcome Home • 78260/78261

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March 2014 • Welcome Home • 78260/78261

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9/20/13

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Note From The Publisher

Life Only Gets Better

M

arch is always a great time of year for me. It’s the birthday month of both of my children. My son, Blake, will be 22 and my daughter, Rashell, will be 18. I am fast approaching the time when I will become an empty nester. It brings a smile when I think of this term because I have always associated this phrase with being old. What’s interesting is that I don’t feel old. I feel better than I have in twenty years. I feel more alive and more aware than I ever have in my life. I wake every morning with a joy for living. With that being said, let me tell you of a couple of events my company is involved with that we would love for you to participate in.

On March 27th, we are hosting a seminar with a special guest speaker, Manuel Diotte.

Manny is one of the most sought after speakers in his field and is a personal friend of mine. He has agreed to speak at the Drury Plaza North to bring his message of growing your business. Every person I know can use Manny’s positive message for increasing their sales. This is an event you can send your whole sales staff to. You will never have a better opportunity to hear a more dynamic speaker in your lifetime. Look on page 2 for more information on this event.

March is also the month for Reagan and Johnson High School students to turn in their essays and applications for the Stone Oak Business Association’s scholarships. We have been so privileged to be able to support our local schools high school seniors each year for the past eleven years by providing scholarships for graduating seniors. Our company has always believed in giving back to the community which supports us.

We are also one of the proud sponsors for Taste of The Northside in April. Every year this event continues to inspire and represent the Northside as one of the best Fiesta events. I love seeing many of my friends and family attend this event and I love being a part of this event since I know it benefits the children from the Brighton School. The Brighton School is an incredible member of our community and provides an invaluable service for these children and their families.

Come by our booth and have your photo taken in front of the Welcome Home front cover.

As you are going on your Spring Break vacations be sure and share with us your adventures. We love to hear what our community is doing as a family. Remember, if you have a feel good story in any of our areas, please let us know so that we can share it with our community. We are here to spread the good news about our community and the great people who live here. Please remember to support the businesses that make this paper possible and let them know you saw them in Welcome Home.

One final thought until next month...

GO SPURS GO!!!

Sincerely,

Celebrating 25 Years Serving The Community

20770 Hwy. 281 N. Suite 108-149 San Antonio, Texas 78258

(210) 348-8233 • Fax: (210) 497-7342 Article Submissions: articles@welcomehomesa.com Ad Inquiries Email: ads@welcomehomesa.com www.welcomehomesa.com

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Welcome Home newspaper assumes no liability in advertising other than correction and reinsertion of like-size ad at no additional cost to our advertiser. The opinions stated by the writers or the information printed from other sources do not necessarily depict those of the publisher or advertisers. No liability is assumed.

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Publisher Russell Groomer Director Of Production Kristin Oliver Managing Editor Amanda Burris Office Manager Chasity Furse Writer/Copy Editors Ben Spicer Production/Graphic Design James Stipp

Administrative Assistant Julia Wickwire Sierra Hernandez

Staff Writers Debby Seguin Calvin Speer

Distribution Israel Vazquez

Contributing Writers Jason Gordon Salwa Lanford Sam Salas

Contributing Photographers Chasity Furse Merrilee Berger Sales Representatives Patrice Long Tiffany Gailan Kathy Duguay

March 2014 • Welcome Home • 78260/78261

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On The Cover

By Amanda Burris olf is a mental war to the highest regard. It can build you up and then tear you down all on the same hole, and that is one of the things I love about this game,” said Matthew Mulkey, a Smithson Valley senior on the golf team. “It is a great test of character.

In every golf round, a golfer is faced with some obstacle they Photo Credit: Chasity Furse have to overcome, and Seniors (l-r) Matthew Mulkey, Megan Woods, Ellis Roberts, Johany Rivera and Tyler like my Dad always Wilcox of the Smithson Valley golf program. says, ‘the true test of goals, many are also coming away with a man’s character is meaningful life lessons. how he reacts in the face of adversity.’”

“I [am] extremely proud of each senior Mulkey, along with Megan Woods, Ellis Roberts, Johany Rivera and Tyler Wilcox, because of their maturity and awareness of are the seniors of the Smithson Valley golf accomplishing future goals,” Coach Pape program. As an established and successful said. “Whether they are playing college program, the team hopes to continue a great golf or continuing their education, each one has a goal and a solid plan on how to obtain year with their new coach, Jason Pape.

Golf is a game of both skill and mentality, their goals.”

To read more about the Smithson Valley and as the students continue to dedicate their time and work hard to achieve their golf program, turn to page 9.

“G

Family Life

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e h t e c n e i Exper Lifestyle Showcase

Ode To Spring Break

By Debby Seguin

A

Big Band Dance

Wine Tasting ~ Sing-a-long Interactive Game Show

Join us for a special night of music, dancing, hors d’oeuvres and more!

Wednesday, March 19th 3:00pm - 5:00pm

Wednesday, March 26th 6:00pm - 9:00pm

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Held at Holy Trinity Banquet Hall 20523 Huebner Road San Antonio, Texas 78258

RSVP by Monday, March 17th ~ Limited Seating ~

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hh, Spring Break. How do I love thee? Let me count the days… Now, I’m a teacher, and you may think this a disloyal sentiment. After all, it is my calling and I should be only too happy spending my days training, influencing, shaping young minds, being positive, energetic and upbeat, and selflessly giving day after day after…oh, sorry. Um-m, yes, Spring Break.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s not the kids. I love the kids. (Who called me Pinocchio?!)

It’s not the school lunches. (Whoops! It’s growing again!). So why do I count the days until Spring Break arrives? It’s…it’s…O.K! It’s MATH CLASS! (My therapist was right, that DOES feel better. Only 11 steps to go…) Now, you may be thinking “Hello?

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It’s not rocket science.” Yeah? Well, let me tell you, pal, it’s not like the old days.

Remember when Sally had two apples, Johnny had five apples, how many apples did they have altogether? Just try THIS: Shahirisse had ten apples. She gave 1/3 of them to the animal shelter and of the remaining apples, four were given to Hapejnah, who cut them into thirds, saving 15 seeds for his Arbor Day Civics project, then climbed three flights of stairs with 14 stairs per flight and gave 2/3 of the slices to Su Yong Po who proceeded to eat 3/5, saving the remaining slices for her brother and two sisters who were attending self-awareness training. How many apples do Shahirisse and Hapejnah have left altogether? Huh? Exactly. Not being so judgmental NOW, are we, hmmm?

I now separate math questions into a 1-tylenol group, a 2-tylenol group and the “let’s just give ‘em the answers out of the teacher’s manual and make a blood pact of silence” group. Spring Break used to mean beaches and sunshine but now it means a slight reprieve from studying my “Math for Dummies” (beginner version) book. It’s five glorious days of not having to say or hear the words “factor,” “angle,” or “length of the hypotenuse to the 4th power.”

And if my own kids need any help with the M-word, I say, “Sorry honey, you’ll have to ask your teacher!” as they hear faint, maniacal laughter drifting through my locked door…

Debby Seguin (who switched to language arts where everything “makes sense”) can be reached at writewell62@ yahoo.com.

March 2014 • Welcome Home • 78260/78261

K9 Corner

Bulverde/Spring Branch Library News

By Catherine Laria K9 Country Club (830) 980-8476

B

ack in January I listed some staggering statistics that over 43 MILLION dogs are overweight in this country and are at risk of Type 2 Diabetes, joint injury, and heart disease.

Recently I was visited by two former students. Both are nice sporting breeds and were very active as pups. Now both are extremely obese at less than two years old.

One could hardly catch his breath walking from the grooming room to the kennels.

I believe both families are good people who love their pets. But I also believe they have no idea how damaging this is. I’m hoping their vet has at least mentioned it but maybe a mere suggestion is not enough.

So I thought I would list a few things for you to look for to see if your pet is possibly overweight.

By Sam Salas, Librarian Bulverde/Spring Branch Library (830) 438-4864 lease join the Friends of the Library for the 9th annual Book and Author Luncheon on March 5, 2014. The luncheon will be held at the Boulder Springs Event Center at 1723 Herbelin in New Braunfels. Five unique and interesting authors will present their tales of why they write and why we read. Authors appearing at the luncheon are Jodi Stauffer, Russ Jones, John Kerr and Sharon Pinkston.

Motivational speaker, Link Fuller, will emcee the event. Book sales and signings by authors start at 11 a.m. and meal service begins at noon. Tickets are $65 and may be obtained online at bsbleblasts@gmail.com or by calling 830-438-4864. All proceeds from the luncheon will be used to fund the library’s programs and activities.

Don’t take your best friend out unprepared. Learn how to have fun with

P

First: Does your dog have a waist? Stand your dog and look at him from above. It will be VERY obvious if your dog is shaped like a barrel (even barrel type bodies, such as beagles will still have an indentation at the waist.)

Second: Does your young dog have trouble getting up from lying down?

Third: Does your dog have trouble catching his breath or pants heavy when walking?

Fourth: Do your dog food have fillers, such as corn or rice, listed as the first few ingredients? Do you use lots of treats throughout the day? Do you let your pet clean up every delicious fat filled human leftover in the house?

If you said yes to any one or more of these that doesn’t make you a bad owner. Many people are in the same boat; in fact over 55

percent of the dogs in the US have owners just like you. The bad owner is the one who chooses to ignore this and do nothing about it until it’s too late.

The easiest thing to check is diet. Type of food, amount, and treat dispensing are 100 percent in your control. REMEMBER only humans live to eat. Animals eat to live.

Once you know the food intake is nutritious and under control, like in any weight loss

your pet while keeping them pet safe from injury while walking along a trail or going for a hike. This class covers the Top six pet first aid situations encountered while out on the trail with your pet. This presented by Kathy Rodriguez, Pet Tech Instructor #1820 and owner of Royally Spoiled Pet Services.

For more information email rspetservices@ gmail.com or call 830-888-0200. program, exercise is key. Get your pets moving! Next month I will list a number of sports and exercise programs for you to choose from if you need some help getting started. Or in the meantime, you can visit our website for more information.

K9 Country Club is located at 31305 Oak View, Bulverde TX 78163. For more information, call (830) 980-8476 or visit www.k9countryclub.net.

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March 2014 • Welcome Home • 78260/78261

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Finding Your Way in the Menopause Maze

By Donna Becker, D.O. Enhancement of Life (210) 545-5224

“I just don’t feel like myself.”

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his statement exactly summarizes the problem with menopause for many women. Without hormones, you really ARE NOT the same.

Recently an attractive woman came to see me, saying that I was her last resort.

Some other doctor had placed her on a strange mix of hormones based on “saliva analysis.” She had never had a blood level drawn. She suffered with hot flashes around

the clock for several years. Unable to sleep and exhausted, naturally she became distressed about her condition.

She had not had marital relations in about a year due to painful dryness, which lubricants did not remedy. Her unhelpful doctors had placed her on antidepressants which made her feel worse, and the hot flashes continued.

“But I don’t feel like I am depressed,” she said to me. And then to her vexation, she began to cry.

“I’m sorry! I just cry at the drop of a hat,”

she said.

I understand, I told her, it happened to me too. I told her that I was 65 now and had been helped so much by an antiaging doctor over a decade before and that I had dedicated my practice to helping other women just as I had been helped.

We discussed the risks and side effects of hormone therapy in detail. The risk is, of course, breast cancer, uterine, or ovarian-and blood clots to the brain, lung or heart. Unfortunately, one can develop all of these conditions, even without hormone replacement therapy. However, most researchers believe that hormone replacement therapy does increase the risk.

Hormone replacement therapy is not for everybody. We must weigh the risk to benefit ratio and, as best as we can, manage the risk and proceed if the benefit is substantial enough.

My patient’s blood work revealed

Healthy Classroom Lessons For Students Submitted By Jason Gordon ince 2012, Comal ISD’s FIT has challenged the district’s students and staff to live healthier lifestyles through exercise and diet.

Now, Comal ISD is taking a proactive approach to bringing health instruction into the classroom.

“We want health to be taught systemically, building up from our early grade levels and building throughout these grade levels,” said Annette Villerot, assistant superintendent for curriculum and academic services.

“We want it to begin with our students in early childhood so it’s an engrained process

S

which occurs consistently. That’s the best way a child will learn to choose a healthy lifestyle.”

Villerot added that starting as young as kindergarten, Comal ISD plans on integrating health lessons during the 201415 school year into the curriculum and will continue that long-range plan throughout each subsequent grade level.

The district used a transparent, relevant process that included discussions with multiple stakeholders. These groups included the Master Schedule/Student Course Load Committee, curriculum team, and the School Health Advisory Committee

(SHAC).

“Our campuses are already focused on health, but the district will be taking health and wellness to the next level by embedding health standards into core curriculum areas and by developing a health curriculum,” Villerot said.

Students will continue to have the option of taking a one-semester health elective credit at the high school level. By keeping this elective optional, the district will continue to promote the benefits of health and wellness at the high school level, and avoid limiting student elective options mandated by House Bill 5. Making a health

menopausal levels-nearly absent, in other words, of progesterone, estradiol and testosterone. Interestingly, she also had extremely low levels of vitamin B12 which can also lead to neuropsychiatric or hematologic abnormalities in 10 percent of people! Her vitamin D was also very low, as it is in most people, I told her. Low vitamin D in some studies is believed to be a risk factor for cancer! Vitamins, fish oil, exercise, and vaginal application of hormones to speed her healing completed her focused therapy.

Not yourself? It does not have to be that way. Get blood work and see an expert to get yourself well!

Donna Becker, D.O., Board Certified in Emergency Medicine. Enhancement of Life is located at 14603 Huebner Rd., Suite 2601, San Antonio, TX 78231. For more information, call (210) 545-5224 or visit www.antiagingsa.com.

credit mandatory at this time could limit student elective options and potentially limit fulfillment of multiple endorsement plan requirements.

“We have a healthy fitness mindset in Comal ISD and we’re doing everything we can to support health curriculum,” Comal ISD superintendent Andrew Kim said. “We want flexibility and choice for our students and parents about elective options while raising health awareness starting at the elementary level. I think it’s excellent that health and wellness education is something our students will receive in the classroom on a year to year basis.”

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March 2014 • Welcome Home • 78260/78261

Rangers Swing For Success

By Amanda Burris

G

olf is a sport of precision and concentration and is enjoyed all over the world by players and fans of all ages. However, the game takes both time and dedication to maintain the skills necessary to improve.

At Smithson Valley High School students have had the privilege to be part of and learn from an established golf program that has a history of various titles and awards.

This year, Smithson Valley’s new coach, Jason Pape, has led the students to the beginning of another successful year.

“We have had great success with both the boys and girls teams winning tournaments,” Coach Pape said. “We have also had girls win as individuals during the fall season as well. Spring tournament season will be very busy. Varsity girls will be playing in five tournaments this spring and boys will be in four.”

Coach Pape brings 15 years of coaching experience with him to Smithson Valley and has a talented group of seniors to help him lead the golf program. The seniors include Matthew Mulkey, Megan Woods, Ellis Roberts, Johany Rivera and Tyler Wilcox. “[I am] very proud of the seniors and the leadership that they have provided for the program,” said coach Pape. “I’m also grateful to how the seniors have accepted me and the program that we have implemented. The transition has been extremely smooth and once again, I’m very thankful for their leadership, initiative and love they have shown towards me and my family.”

Coach Pape implemented a program early that prepares his students physically, mentally and spiritually. With each year the students play golf, many see growth in their mental game – something that notoriously takes time. And as for the skills and fundamentals of golf, coach Pape has found an effective system for his students to practice all aspects of the sport.

“While at practice we work on our individual games by partaking in four stations that focus on the four facets of

the game: putting, chipping, short-iron game and long-iron game/woods,” senior Matthew Mulkey said. “The players not participating in the four stations usually go on the course and play holes because working on the practice area can only take a player so far. It is practice on the course where a golfer can put what they practiced to the test and identify their strengths and weaknesses.”

For many players, golf is a sport one becomes interested in due to family members or others who already play. But whether they had been playing for most their life, or just getting into it more recently, there is always room for improvement.

Besides practicing at school, many golfers participate in additional practices on their own or with a private coach.

And while they each have individual rituals or drills to prepare themselves for a round of golf or a tournament, (such as becoming familiar with a course beforehand or practicing their short game until it feels perfect) they must also learn to approach their goals as a team.

“My favorite thing about golf is that you get to work as a team but you are also competing individually,” said Ellis Roberts. “I want to be part of the team that wins district, state and regionals.”

Goals are set at the beginning of each year with a team and individual plan to achieve each goal. By being involved in a program that has so many talented players with goals set high, the students continually push each other to improve.

“The golf program at SVHS is very competitive,” Johany Rivera said. “We are constantly competing against each other, which in my opinion makes us stronger players. I practice every day for hours trying to improve my weaknesses and improve my strengths.”

Coach Pape has various goals set for his student athletes.

He hopes that through the golf program at Smithson Valley, students will experience character development and enhancement, learn commitment by finishing what they have

started, deal with adversity and overcome the challenges of life, all while taking pride in being part of a team Smithson Valley High School Golf rather than Coach Jason Pape. an individual, and in the process make lifelong friends, relationships and memories.

Though he may be a new coach at Smithson Valley, his knowledge, passion and experience with students is truly visible as he helps to mold them into the best golfers and students they can be. For the seniors, who have one last year to leave their mark in high school, they hope to make this year a successful one.

“As a senior, I hope to leave a legacy of a very dedicated and driven person in both my academics and golf,” Woods said. “I hope people think of me as a successful example of what a focused student athlete can be.”

The students involved in the Smithson Valley golf program have a spring season of tournaments ahead of them. With the guidance of their new coach, the players are confident they can play well, and represent Smithson Valley in a positive way.

“The benefits of being a ranger golfer are abundant, from learning valuable skills like responsibility, honesty and organization that are helpful in college and future jobs to making good friends to constantly spend time with,” said Megan Woods. “Being a Ranger golfer keeps you focused and committed while getting to play a sport as a Ranger and represent Smithson Valley.”

Smithson Valley High School Golf Seniors: (L-R) Johany Rivera, Ellis Roberts, Matthew Mulkey, Tyler Wilcox and Megan Woods.

March 2014 • Welcome Home • 78260/78261

www.welcomehomesa.com

9

SVHS Dance Has Busy Start Special To Welcome Home he Smithson Valley Silver Spurs Dance Team has had a very busy start to the New Year.

The group entertained local Spurs fans at the AT&T Center during halftime of a NBA game on January 17, then hosted a junior Silver Spurs Dance Clinic January 31, all before participating in dance competitions in both Austin and Boerne.

The Silver Spurs also have been performing at Smithson Valley High School basketball games and have competitions scheduled in March in Galveston and San Antonio.

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The public is also invited to join them for their annual Spring Show scheduled for April 26 at Smithson Valley High School.

It is a great opportunity to watch performances by the team and several area dance groups. Please contact Carmen Garcia, Booster Club President, for more information. Her email is carmen.garcia@ tceq.texas.gov.

PHOTO CREDIT: Merrilee Berger

At right: The Smithson Valley Silver Spurs Dance Team entertained fans at the AT&T Center in January.

The Dinosaurs Are Coming

Submitted By Salwa Lanford inosaur George is at it again with other prehistoric life forms that once roamed the land, sea and air including crocodiles, saber-tooth cats and other dinosaurs.

Dino George is setting up his traveling museum inside the gymnasium of Indian Springs Elementary from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Saturday, April 5.

The ISES PTA would like everyone

D

in the community to enjoy this amazing exhibit along with fun crafts and games in the Raptor Zone.

With 11 different stations featuring animals from almost every time period and continent, this amazing exhibit has something for everyone in the family to discover including a T-Rex skull considered to be one the largest on Earth and a crocodile skull longer than a city bus. Dino George, however, is the biggest reason to attend. He

has a way of bringing all the pieces to life and engaging both young and old. Don’t miss this opportunity for a fun-filled day of learning and adventure.

The Raptor Zone will include digging for fossils, making fossils, a dinosaur egg game, face-painting, dinosaur balloons, music, dancing and more. In addition, one of San Antonio’s popular food trucks will be on hand to keep you fueled for more fun.

Tickets for the exhibit are being sold in

Indian Springs Hosts Kinder Registration Submitted By Salwa Lanford ndian Springs Elementary School, in the Comal Independent School District, is hosting its annual kindergarten registration Tuesday through Thursday, March 4-6 at the school.

Registration is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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Tuesday and Thursday, and 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. However, registration will be closed from 11 a.m. to noon for lunch on each of these days.

Incoming kindergarten parents and students are encouraged to attend and register for the next school year. Indian

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Springs PTA members will be on hand to conduct tours of the campus in order to make the transition to school more comfortable for both parent and child.

For detailed information on registration requirements, please visit the district’s

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Indian Springs Elementary is located off Highway 281 and Bulverde Road on Wilderness Oak, just a block from Bulverde Road in the Indian Springs subdivision.

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advance for $6 per person or two for $10 through Wednesday, April 2. Register online at ises.my-pta.org or contact Pamela Polcyn at pamela.polcyn@yahoo.com. Exhibit cost at the door, $8 per person. Children under two, free. Tickets for the Raptor Zone will be sold at the door as well for $1 per activity.

Indian Springs Elementary is located off Highway 281 and Bulverde road on Wilderness Oak just a block from Bulverde road in the Indian Springs subdivision.

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March 2014 • Welcome Home • 78260/78261

www.beldensautomotive.com

Belden’s Automotive and Tires: “We Keep You Rolling”

By Amanda Burris

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s the world around us continues to evolve, changing with the ever-growing advances in technology, vehicles still remain to be an essential part of our everyday lives.

While vehicles themselves are also enhancing with time, finding an automotive company that you can trust to provide proper maintenance and repairs may sometimes prove to be a difficult task. However, at Belden’s Automotive and Tires, a family owned and operated business, customers will not only find a company with top service and educated technicians, but also quality service that will keep you coming back for years to come.

“I have had the great pleasure of doing business with Belden’s for over 10 years,” said Doug Boom, a Belden’s Automotive customer. “Ronnie has built a high quality service center that provides the best in customer service along with outstanding automotive repair. I have never had a problem with any repair performed, advice given or recommendation provided. Truly a high quality business!”

Belden’s Automotive and Tires was started in 1972 and taken over by Ronnie Belden in 1979 with the goal of developing a business grounded in customer service and quality work. Belden’s has since grown to include locations on San Pedro Ave, Fredericksburg Rd, Bulverde Rd, in Boerne and a new fifth location on Lockhill Selma. The newest location, now known as Belden’s Alamo Garage, had been run by the Ferguson family for over 20 years before they retired from the automotive industry and Belden’s Automotive and Tires was able to take over. Now, with five locations, they continue to serve their customers throughout the San Antonio area.

Established as a family business, Ronnie’s son Rusty Belden joined the company in 2005 and has now taken over as President with his father’s retirement. Various other family members also help to run the business, including Jason Belden, Rusty’s cousin, who joined in 2012 and is the General Manager.

“I grew up in the business and have had the privilege of being in and around he shop, working side by side with our employees and learning from the ground up,” said Rusty.

“From a young age I have always wanted to continue in my father’s footsteps…it’s exciting to be part of something that keeps growing and come to work knowing that you are building something and carrying on a legacy.”

Over the years, Belden’s Automotive and Tires has established itself as a one-stop shop, providing full automotive repairs including basic oil changes, brake service, engine and transmission repair, diesel repair,

March 2014 • Welcome Home • 78260/78261

Our goal is a lifelong customer. We want to be able to build a relationship with our customers based on honesty and integrity so that we can be the people that you turn to... we look at educating the customer; that is a big part of what we do, so that you can make an educated decision.”

– Rusty Belden, Belden’s Automotive and Tires President electrical diagnostics and more for both foreign and domestic vehicles.

Rather than going to various places to get specific repairs for your vehicle, Belden’s Automotive and Tires has continued to work hard to provide services such as an exhaust center and a tire center. Technicians are also continually staying up to date with the changing technology of cars through classroom training, numerous online training and seminars. By being a company that offers so many services, Belden’s Automotive and Tires has had the opportunity to build strong relationships with their customers.

“Preventative maintenance is a top priority in extending vehicle’s life,” Rusty said. “Cars are made better to last longer and you can put more miles on them as long as you maintain your vehicle and stay up to date with your vehicle’s maintenance. By doing this, it will add life to your vehicle.

“Our goal is a lifelong customer,” said Rusty. “We want to be able to build a relationship with our customers based on honesty and integrity so that we can be the people that you turn to…we look at educating the customer; that is a big part of what we do, so that you can make an educated decision.”

Before services are even offered, Belden’s Automotive begins their customer care by ensuring their locations are nice, clean and professional, making it a comforting environment to walk into.

To ensure their customers remain educated and feel confident in putting their car needs into the hands of trained professionals, Belden’s Automotive and Tires will not only look into the issue you came in with, but also check for any other problems your vehicle may have. By prioritizing what needs to be done immediately, what may need to be fixed down the road or simple maintenance that needs to be done to meet the manufacturers recommendations, they keep their customers completely informed about their cars and any problems or future problems they may run into.

While the various services offered, the up to date skills and knowledge of the technicians, and the great customer service at Belden’s Automotive and Tires are all top priority, what sets them apart is their enthusiasm for

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staying involved with the community.

Each year, as a way to give back, Belden’s Automotive and Tires gets involved with events and causes, such as Stuff the Bus and donations to the San Antonio Food Bank or other shelters. This past year, Belden’s also contributed and coordinated a large event with Morgan’s Wonderland to benefit the Walker Belden Foundation.

“We are not super aggressive, but we have so many people that walk through the doors that it is just a good opportunity,” Rusty said.

With a decorated donation box usually kept in the waiting room, they try to encourage giving back and even make it fun as either a way for friendly competition amongst the employees or sometimes as an incentive for discounts for customers.

Due to Rusty, Lacey and Jason being Clark High School graduates, they also try to give back to their alma mater and other local schools and organizations when they can.

As a business forged on family values, community involvement and dedication to the automobile industry, Belden’s Automotive and Tires has grown to become the preferred neighborhood garage of many. While they continue to grow and reach out, they make it their goal to “Keep You Rollin!”

29137 IH 10 West 13811 San Pedro San Antonio, TX 78232 Boerne, TX 78006 830-981-9700 210-494-0017 2035 Lockhill Selma 22000 Bulverde Rd San Antonio, TX 78259 San Antonio, TX 78213 210-366-1122 210-481-3330 8825 Fredericksburg Rd San Antonio, TX 78240 210-690-1100 11

Signing On The Dotted Line

Smithson Valley High seniors (l-r) Forrest Forte (Navy), Joseph Barsalou (West Texas A&M), Shane Piatnik (Incarnate Word), Tyler Coiner (Morehead State) and Garrett Smith (Louisiana-Monroe) all inked scholarships on National Signing Day Feb. 5. They are pictured here with SVHS head football coach Larry Hill.

By Ben Spicer sk any college sports fan, and they’ll tell you Christmas comes in February.

That’s because the first Wednesday in February every year is officially National Signing Day for collegiate athletics.

National Signing Day is the first day a high school senior can sign a binding national letter of intent for certain college sports, most notably football. And while graduating athletes are free to sign an offer at a later date, most university athletic departments and coaching staffs attempt to finalize their incoming class on that day.

But for the athletes themselves and their families, the day is one of celebration

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for all the hard work students have done throughout high school.

“It’s a relief, and it’s exciting, and it’s nerve-wracking at the same time,” Krista Kolbinskie, senior volleyball player for Reagan High School said. “I’m just really excited and truly blessed to have the people in my life that got me to this point.”

By signing a National Letter of Intent, a prospective student-athlete agrees to attend a designated college or university for one academic year. Institutions in return agree to provide financial aid to the student-athlete, provided he or she is admitted to the school and is eligible for financial aid under NCAA rules.

“This a dream come true for my family, but mainly for my daughter,” Edwina Kolbinskie, mother of Krista said. “She has worked since age three in organized sports for this day. She had lots of opportunities to go to a lot of different places, but I’m just so grateful that she ended up Arkansas – she’s got family there, and it felt like home immediately.”

The process to chose a school can be an intense and pressure filled one for an athlete. Colleges recruit high profile athletes intensely, and some recruiters will say whatever it takes to get a player to their school.

“It’s a business, so coaches will kinda say things cause they’re trying to convince you,” Reagan senior Ty Summers said.

“They might promise something they might not be able to keep.”

The day however can also be tough for coaches as occasionally an 18-year-old

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Anna Cozart and Taylor Hawes both signed letters of intent on National Signing Day.

might change their mind. And it is never fun for a student to have to tell a coach he’s decided to go a different direction.

Ty Summers for example originally committed to Rice to play football but decommitted prior to signing day to sign with TCU. “It’s not fun, I felt bad about it, cause I had committed to them and I respected all those coaches. But in the end, I felt like it was the best decision for me, for my future.”

Sometimes decision-making on the day is helped by family loyalty – like a father who played at a particular school, or a sibling already on the team, and makes the decision a little easier.

Darion McElhannon, a senior football player at Johnson, was one of nine seniors at the school who signed letters of intent this year. He and another one of his teammates signed on to play football at the Air Force Academy.

“This is a great day, the kids have been focused on going to the Air Force Academy for a number of years,” Neal McElhannon, father of Darion, said. “They are excited about playing together. I played football at

the Air Force Academy so I guess they’re keeping with tradition – so we’re pretty excited in the McElhannon house. We couldn’t be any happier, we’re pretty blessed for the whole thing.”

Glenda Rast, mother JC Rast the other Johnson signee to Air Force, could hardly contain her enthusiasm for the day as she gushed about her son with pride.

“We’re really really proud of him, he’s worked really hard. He deserves this opportunity,” she said. “Being a retired air force lieutenant colonel I am just bursting inside with pride, I couldn’t be prouder of him.”

For families, signees and their guests, signing day is a day that is filled with picture taking, food, and cheer.

“It (The day) exemplifies all the hard work that he put in year-in-year out,” Jerrod Summers, father of TCU signee Ty Summers said. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for him to play college sports, but the reality is it’s the means to the end. Because football will end. But the character he had to build to get to where he is, that will last him a lifetime.”

Welcome Home Community Newspaper’s Known Signing Day Signees Churchill High School Rachel Gurinsky, Soccer, St. Mary’s Univ.

Alicia Smith, Track, Texas Southern Univ.

Lucas Saenz, Football, Texas A&M Comm.

Deja Morrow, Football, Texas A&M Comm.

Johnson High School Nick Dauphine, Soccer, Lubbock Christian Caitlin Schwarz, Soccer, Sam Houston St. Nia Stallings, Soccer, Rice Sarah Fish, Soccer, Ouchita Baptist Tiana Soulas, Soccer, Ouchita Baptist Robert Ford, Track, USC (Univ. of So. Cal) Robert Ballard, Football, Stephen F Austin Darion McElhannon, Football, Air Force JC Rast, Football, Air Force Jeremiah McCutcheon, Football, Wayland Baptist Brandeis High School Corey Hayes, Football, Houston Baptist U. Jonathan Robinson, Football, Texas A&M Kingsville Chase Guillory, Football, Harvard Univ.

Larry Stephens, Football, Angelo State U. Johnny Garcia, Football,Texas Lutheran U. Roxana Cruz, Soccer, St. Mary’s University Clark High School R’Mani Bettis, Football, Wayland Baptist

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Smithson Valley High School Garrett Smith, Football, Louisiana Monroe Forrest Forte, Football, Navy Joseph Barsalou, Football, W. Texas A&M Tyler Coiner, Football, Morehead State Shane Piatnik, Football, University of the Incarnate Word Zach Carroll-Ramirez, Football, Mary Hardin Baylor Brady Melde, Football, Abilene Christian Anna Cozart, Track, TCU Taylor Hawes, Track, Texas A&M C.C. Reagan High School Ty Summers, Football, TCU Nick Hardy, Football, Yale Trent Walker, Football, Trinity Daerek Wilson, Football, St. John’s (Minn) Krista Kolbinskie, Volleyball, Arkansas Connor Bjugstad, Golf, Odessa Jr. College Taryn Sherman, Soccer, UTEP Nikki Popa, Soccer, Univ of Incarnate Word Carly Hankins, Soccer, University of Incarnate Word Ashley Long, Soccer, Sam Houston State Maggie Miller, Soccer, OLLU Bryan Warhurst, Baseball, Hill Country Junior College Drew Brooks, Baseball, Hill Country Junior College

March 2014 • Welcome Home • 78260/78261

The Ride of A Lifetime

Photos by Rashell Groomer

By Amanda Burris

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aya Angelou once said, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

For Manny Diotte, a cancer survivor, speaker, author and coach, he has taken these words to heart and is continually using his experiences and position in life to impact children with The Ferrari Kid experience.

The Ferrari Kid experience is designed to give children coping with cancer or other illnesses a break by making them feel like a celebrity for a day. Diotte was inspired to begin the program by his own experiences.

At age seven, Diotte was told that he had six months to live due to cancer. After 48 surgeries, three and a half years of going in and out of hospitals and two years of chemotherapy and radiation, he beat some of the toughest odds. Although his cancer was cured, the aftermath of chemotherapy and radiation left him with damage to his body and infections. Once it was decided that his leg would have to be amputated to save his life, he found himself being flown to Los Angeles in 1987 to see if he would be a candidate for a special procedure.

After arriving in LA and walking out of the airport, he saw a red Ferrari that caught his eye. The owner let him sit in it and take pictures, a moment he would remember for the rest of his life.

“Now that I am older and have been traveling and helping people all over the country, I decided I wanted to help people in my own backyard, which is what sparked the Ferrari Kid, so I can travel less and do something here to better my community and help kids who are suffering,” said Diotte.

The Ferrari Kid experience begins by picking up the children at Aldinos in Ferraris and taking them to Main Event Entertainment where they pull up to a red carpet and with “paparazzi” who are there to document their arrival and get their autograph.

Each month, about five to eight kids get to take part in this experience and Diotte hopes to give this opportunity to more kids in a few months.

This May, the two year anniversary of The Ferrari Kid, children will also have the chance to be taken to and from their treatments in a Ferrari as a way to give a

March 2014 • Welcome Home • 78260/78261

great experience to more of the children on the waiting list.

“I say cancer sucks, but the ride to the hospital doesn’t have to,” commented Diotte. “It just gives them something positive to look forward to on a day that can be very negative and dark.”

The month of May has many things in store of The Ferrari Kid. While currently the children are all taken to Main Event, they will soon get a catalog where they can pick an option from three to five “celebrity” experiences.

These experiences may range from a spa package to a dinner to a shopping experience. Regardless of where the children go and what they do, they are getting an experience they can truly cherish.

“I think the most rewarding thing is that I know I am fulfilling God’s purpose for my life,” Diotte said. “And because I went through the same experience as these kids I am able to connect and speak to them in a way that others might not be able to. And of course, another thing that is the most rewarding is knowing that I took their pain away even for a moment. I think that is rewarding to me to know that they got to be a kid again, because I feel like my childhood was robbed. So they get to be a kid again and laugh and just not think about the pain they are in, even if it’s just for a day.”

He went on to say that the experience is more than the flashy cars that they get to ride in. The cars may be what gets people’s attention, but it is what the whole experience leaves these children with and the memories that makes it so special.

“It is what I do after when we meet, to encourage their heart and build their self-esteem and to remind them that they were born for greatness,” he explained. “So I tell the kids three things: God heals, miracles happen and dreams really do come true.”

Besides Diotte’s dedication to reach out to these children, and Marc Miller, the President of the Ferrari Club who has involved his club members with this program, the Ferrari Kid program is made possible through the generous donations of others. It costs $250 to sponsor a child, giving them a memory they can cherish with their family in such a difficult time. If you or your business is interested in sponsoring a child, visit www.theferrarikid.org or email Manny Diotte at many@theferrarikid.org.

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Best friends Angel (age 12) and Alejandro (age 8) with Manny Diotte on the red carpet.

18-year-old Logan in front of a red Ferrari 430.

14-year-old Joseph next to a charcoal grey Ferrari 430.

Brothers Isacc (age 5) and Elijah (age 7) in front of a red Ferrari 456.

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Discoveries Thru Vision

By Dr. Erin Nevelow Nevelow Eye Associates (210) 349-2437 • www.drsnevelow.com lab, the Google contact lens is thousands of miniature transistors ringed by an antenna t Nevelow Eye Associates, we sandwiched between two contact lenses. strive to stay on top of information This new contact lens is going to be used for about new technologies out on the diabetic patients to monitor glucose levels. market. We then pass that info onto our It won’t be ready to be released patients whenever we can. So imagine our to consumers for at least five years. surprise when the two biggest things that are Researchers are still working on whether or being talked about right now are both from not the amount of glucose found in the tears Google. actually correlates to the amount of glucose Designed in Google X’s super secret

New Technologies

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Use Your Refund Wisely

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Betsy Dippo State Farm (210) 496-3276

o your 1040 is filed and you are now anxiously waiting for your refund.

What do you plan on doing with it?

There are so many ways you could spend your refund, but there are other alternatives to consider.

According to the Internal Revenue Service, over 75 percent of American taxpayers received a federal tax refund, with the average around $2500.

Instead of spending your refund this year, consider contributing to an Individual

Retirement Account (IRA), setting up a college savings fund for a child, or paying down credit card debt. These options will help improve your financial situation.

First on your list of priorities might be paying down any high-interest credit card debts you have incurred. By paying only the minimum each month, you may be paying just the interest (or less) on the debt and little or nothing towards the principal.

If debt is not a problem, your tax refund could provide you an excellent opportunity

in the blood. If Google is able to get all the kinks worked out, it will be a game changer for people with diabetes.

Google Glass, an android powered device mounted onto eyeglass frames, is not actually that new, it went into limited release last year. It’s run by voice commands and by touching the glass device itself. Google glass did have some problems when it first came out. First, it doesn’t have a lot of apps specifically designed for it. Second, most people didn’t like the type of frame it was mounted on. Lastly, at $1500, you had to be really motivated to purchase it. Google recently announced the new Google Glass 2, which is to be released this year. It now has more apps and more applications for its use, including telemedicine. New frame styles and the ability to pair Glass with prescription lenses have made it more useful to more

consumers. Now Google has paired with Vision Service Plan, the country’s biggest vision care company, to offer Google Glass as a benefit on their vision plan. So about 59 million people will have access to Google Glass through their vision insurance.

At Nevelow Eye Associates, we strive to keep you up to date on all the new technology coming out. If you have questions about this or any other subject please feel free to call our office visit our website www.drsnevelow.com and look us up on Facebook.

John M. Nevelow, O.D., is a fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Nevelow Eye Associates is located at 19190 Stone Oak Pkwy., Suite 120. For more information, call (210) 349-2437 or visit www.drsnevelow.com.

to an existing IRA or establish a new one.

For the 2013 tax year, you can contribute up to $5500 to an IRA. If you are 50 years or older by December 31, 2013, you can add an additional $1,000 to the account.

Making a tax-deductible contribution to a traditional IRA is an option if you are not participating in an employer-sponsored retirement plan or, if you are participating, your Adjusted Gross Income falls within eligibility guidelines. A Roth IRA may be a better choice, if you are eligible to contribute. Contributions to a Roth IRA are not tax deductible. However, qualified distributions are received free from federal income tax.

One thing to remember after you’ve decided the fate of this year’s refund: the check you received is not a windfall but the return of an interest-free loan you provided to the government. Adjusting the

amount withheld by the government to reduce the amount of future refunds may be an appropriate course. You might not get a refund in April, but there may be more money in each paycheck to contribute to a savings account or IRA or pay down debt throughout the year.

The earlier you start saving for your future, the more you may have during your retirement. If you have questions about these options or others, you owe it to yourself to contact a financial services professional that you know and trust. Your financial future may depend on it.

Betsy Dippo, State Farm agent, Long Term Care Professional. Betsy’s office is located at 19190 Stone Oak Pkwy., Suite 112, San Antonio, TX 78258. For more information, call 210- 496-3276 or visit www.betsydippo.com.

Seeing to your family’s needs

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t Nevelow Eye Associates, we focus on the specific needs of each patient. Regular eye exams are key to healthy eyesight as well as early detection of certain diseases, including glaucoma, diabetic eye diseases and macular degeneration. We provide the latest fashions in glasses, all types of contact lenses as well as laser vision consultations for the entire family.

www.drsnevelow.com Nevelow Eye Associates • 19190 Stone Oak Pkwy, Ste. 120 • 210.349.2437 14

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March 2014 • Welcome Home • 78260/78261

The Upside of Downsizing

By Michelle Houriet, Executive Director Independence Hill Retirement Resort Community (210) 209-8956 or many people, making the move some of the following: Do you really to a retirement community means need the large house and the rooms you downsizing and parting with rarely go into? Is maintaining your home sentimental possessions. As this is hard for becoming more of a burden to yourself than many to do, it is much more fun when it is a pleasure? What is physically and mentally not viewed as a negative thing, but a new most important to you right now? positive chapter in life.

Downsizing can actually be perceived as When you can sit back and honestly you finding a new home that better fits your evaluate your situation by asking yourself a lifestyle. This allows you to focus on things few simple questions, it makes the process you would like to do versus worrying about much easier and more pleasant. Start with the things you must do as a homeowner.

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A Journey For Awareness

Special To Welcome Home manda Kolodejcak will never forget 2011 and the painful twist in her stomach after hearing an assessment team explain her daughter’s diagnosis.

“Your daughter has autism.”

Amanda sat there and felt like she was having an out of body experience. It was as if she was watching herself sit there and have a panel of professionals explain how everything in this life was about to change.

How did this happen? Where did I go wrong? So many emotions are experienced when one goes from being a parent to being a special needs parent.

Everyone handles things differently.

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Amanda cried for days and days. But then they immediately jumped into action.

Flash forward to today and you will see a beautiful, thriving, happy and almost six year old little girl dancing around in a tu-tu keeping her parents on their toes.

Autism has taught Amanda much about life and about herself. They’ve conquered things that would seem so small to a parent of a neuro-typical child that they are just over the moon about!

Since the diagnosis, with the help of family and friends, Amanda created Afton’s Army. Every year they participate in the San Antonio Walk for Autism and look forward to supporting friends at Any Baby Can.

By planning ahead, you are in control and looking for services and amenities that are important to you and not just settling somewhere.

Remind yourself that having to keep up with a part of the home you never use or climbing a ladder to change a light bulb is simply not sensible. In fact, most accidents among seniors happen at home while taking care of simple daily tasks. Having the freedom from home maintenance allows you the opportunity to socialize and participate in all the things you have talked about doing but have not had the chance.

Most retirement communities have an array of social activities that allow you to rekindle past hobbies and explore new and exciting ones.

Residents at Independence Hill comment that they should have made this move much sooner!

What usually delays or stops people from making the move is not knowing where to start. There are wonderful companies that will take care of every detail of downsizing and moving; providing a one-stop shop for packing, moving, make ready, cleaning, estate sales, storage and the sale of your home. They are truly professional and understanding of how hard it is to downsize.

Call the Lifestyle Specialists at Independence Hill and let them share with you the many things offered to enhance your life and find the home that better fits your lifestyle today!

Remember… the key is to plan ahead and celebrate life now!

Independence Hill Retirement Resort Community is located at 20450 Huebner Rd., San Antonio, TX 78258. For more information, call (210) 209-8956 or visit www.independencehill.com.

Afton’s Army has been a blog – one which was great therapy for this Momma in the beginning of her trip down autism lane.

Now it’s more of an online support group that you can read about on Facebook. Autism is real. It’s not a disease, it’s a disorder. It’s an epidemic. And it’s not going anywhere.

Not yet at least.

According to the CDC, 10 years ago one in 10,000 kids were diagnosed with autism.

In 2013 the statistics were reported as one in 50 school aged children are now diagnosed.

One in 50!

With that being said, it’s obvious there is a huge problem. And until there is a solution parents will not stop talking about it. Autism

need awareness but more importantly needs acceptance too. Parents need to understand that an autism diagnosis is not the end of the world but a detour to a different way of life.

New to the Area?

If you are new to the area, we’d like to extend a special welcome with a free gift filled with maps, magazines, local business coupons and info to help you get settled in your community.

Please call (210) 414-6200 or e-mail kathy@bconnectedusa.com.

670 Old Boerne Road, Bulverde 830-980-3267 SA Metro brackenchristian.com

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March 2014 • Welcome Home • 78260/78261

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Step Into Decorating

By Mary Lozano-Jenkins The Jenkins Interior Design Group, Inc. (210) 490-0161 he cold is finally gone and we can Just like glitter has entered our adult begin to bring life back into our plants manicures and pedicures, it has also entered and decorate our homes. our fabrics, upholstery as well as drapes.

The markets this year are filled with Mirrors, mirrors and more mirrors remain bling and glitter. popular with furnishings and accessories.

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Rugs are coming in with a lot of color and a lot of texture.

We have been very busy with organizing Magical Makeovers and remodeling.

Clients are updating their homes with new accessories as well as new colors.

Orange and lime green are hot, as are hot pinks and hot blues.

Clearing your space and making changes is something that might not be fun. However, we open the good chi into our lives by doing this. What are you trying to achieve in your decorating? What new mood? Who are you entertaining? Are you ready for change?

Please call us and we can come over and assist in developing your new design and decorating plan. Your Home is Your Castle!

For more information, contact Mary Lozano-Jenkins, Registered Interior Designer at mjkg1@aol.com or 210490-0161 or Jessica C. Jenkins, Interior Decorator at jessicacjenkins@gmail.com or 210-464-1519 or Jennifer Jenkins, Interior Decorator at jennjenkins720@ aol.com or 210-325-3772. Visit Jenkins Interior Design Group online at www. thejenkinsinteriordesigngroup.com.

NJROTC Earns 7 Scholarships Totaling $1.2 Million

By Ben Spicer ix Smithson Valley High School Seniors were presented with Navy Junior ROTC scholarships on January 14.

Molly Beaufait, Walker Hobson, Zach Hutchins, Sawyer Marshall, Spencer Miller and Johnny Potts each were presented scholarship checks in front of an audience of family members, faculty members, and students.

The scholarships, worth $180,000,were the result of the student’s hard work for four years, and the assistance of Commander Retired Vince Quidachay, head Navy JROTC instructor.

“There’s no set requirements, he just knows what these students need,” Navy Scholarship Coordinator Gina Valdez said of Commander Quidachay. “He grooms them. He knows the curriculum. He starts preparing them freshman year.”

Valdez was on hand as scholarship coordinator to present the winning students their scholarship checks.

“Second semester of their junior year they start applying for our scholarship,” Valdez said. “Our scholarship covers 185 universities across the United States. There is no obligation to apply. But I highly recommend to these students to apply for everything so they can decide what they want.”

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Two Smithson Valley H.S. seniors are all smiles after being awarded scholarships worth $180,000 as a result of their hard work for four years.

Sawyer Marshall, one of the award winners, said the scholarship was a culmination of everything he’s done in school.

“It’s about working hard all four years, straight out of middle school, he said. “I was just trying to be the best at everything from freshman year up until now.”

Johnny Potts, another of the award recipients, said originally he did not even want to apply, going as far as procrastinating by refusing to fill out the Navy ROTC scholarship application on their website.

“At first I was stubborn, and I didn’t want to do it, you know, typical rebel teenager,” Potts said. “But eventually I came to it.”

Potts confessed it was a smart decision to eventually listen to his commander.

NJROTC scholarship award winners present their scholarship checks.

“Those interested should just focus on school work, and make sure they listen to those people that are trying to get them where they need to be in life,” Potts said.

And Potts’s advice to those looking to win next year?

“Show initiative, and try your hardest,” he said.

Hobson, Hutchins, and Potts plan on attending Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida, and Marshall will attend Texas A&M-College Station. Molly Beaufait plans on attending the University of Colorado-Boulder, and Spencer Miller will attend Prairie View A&M. A seventh

student, Joshua Cervantes, on January 28 was also presented a NROTC college scholarship to the University of Colorado at Boulder.

Smithson Valley since the year 2010 has earned over 30 ROTC college scholarships totaling over $5.5 million.

“We have been blessed with some very intelligent, well-rounded students and an amazing teaching staff at Smithson Valley,” Commander Vince Quidachay Smithson Valley NJROTC instructor said. “These students all had similar curricula, high SAT scores, great grades, and hundreds of community service hours.”

Reynolds Receives Top Rating

SVHS Student Makes Her Mark

Special To Welcome Home ichaelah Reynolds, senior and feature twirler at Smithson Valley High School, competed at the twirling University Interscholastic League (UIL) competition on February 1 at Sam Houston High School.

Reynolds obtained a superior UIL rating and qualified to compete at the UIL State Contest in Austin at the end of May. Reynolds, who competes at the Intermediate level, twirls year round and participates in the National Baton Twirling Association’s (NBTA) competitions under the coaching instruction of Pat Montgomery with Alamo City Strutters. She will perform her UIL routine and compete in other events at Twirl Mania, an international twirling competition held at Disney World in Orlando, Florida in mid-February.

Reynolds will also compete at the upcoming NBTA Southwest Regional Championships in Amarillo at the end of March and the NBTA State Twirling Championships in Dallas this June.

Competing will assist her in preparing for college tryouts and complete her goal to move up to the Advance level of twirling.

Submitted By Jason Gordon tudents from across the southern region of Texas, who are part of the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) organization, traveled to Corpus Christi to compete in 21 different categories recently.

They competed in various categories where participants were tested in their understanding and achievement of chapter and individual projects, leadership skills, and career preparation.

Smithson Valley High senior At right: Taylor Ohlenburger showcases her award with SVHS teachers Taylor Ohlenburger competed Lori Niles and Wendy McCuiston. in the Fashion Construction garment or ensemble that dresses both the category, where she finished second. She upper and lower body of a child or adult. advances to the state competition in Corpus The garment/ensemble must include at least Christi, April 10-12. eight fashion construction techniques. The Fashion Construction is an individual student then displays the finished product event which recognizes participants who along with appropriate accessories at the apply Fashion Construction skills learned competition. in Family and Consumer Sciences courses Ohlenburger is coached by SVHS and create a display using samples of their teachers Lori Niles and Wendy McCuiston. skills. Participants construct in advance a

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Michaelah Reynolds, senior and feature twirler at Smithson Valley, qualified to compete at the UIL State Contest.

She is looking forward to competing at the America’s Youth on Parade (AYOP) Twirling Nationals held at Notre Dame University in July. This will be her third year to compete at AYOP.

www.welcomehomesa.com

March 2014 • Welcome Home • 78260/78261

Stone Oak Family Doctors: (L–R) Rohan Coutinho, MD; Stephanie Hoefle, MD; John Phillips, MD; and Wendy Nguyen, MD

Stone Oak Family Doctor, John Nguyen, MD

Stone Oak Family Doctors: Where Technology Meets Trustworthiness

By Kalyn Stralow

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iving in an age of technological advances is a blessing, especially when it comes to ensuring your family has access to the quality care they need to stay healthy and active. While technology on its own does not guarantee the best health care, it can be a powerful tool when wielded effectively by experienced doctors.

For the expert team of medical professionals at Stone Oak Family Doctors (SOFD), using all available means to provide their patients with comprehensive care is second nature. Since the inception of the practice over a decade ago, SOFD has developed a winning combination of experience, diversity, and cutting-edge technology that allows them to successfully treat the residents of Stone Oak and the surrounding area.

SOFD’s founding physician, Dr. John Phillips, has cultivated that patient-focused atmosphere since the practice’s inception 11 years ago. Dr. Phillips, who has been in practice for more than 25 years, is one of the pioneers of the medical profession in Stone Oak. Over his distinguished career, he has become skilled in developing and maintaining doctorpatient relationships in family medicine. According to Dr. Phillips, the key to creating a relationship where patients feel safe and confident is to demonstrate an ability to assess and diagnose a patient’s comprehensive needs. Patients have come to trust that the doctors at SOFD not only have their best health and wellness interests at heart, but that they also have the competency to treat them.

Developing that level of trust between patient and doctor is critical to a person’s success in managing their health. One of the most frustrating scenarios for a medical professional is to give a patient all the tools necessary for effective treatment, only to have the patient fail to follow through and their condition not improve.

“You have to be willing to trust the physician’s decisionmaking and be willing to follow their instructions,” said Tina Turnipseed, SOFD Business Administrator. “They are medical professionals who have created a specificallydesigned treatment plan, and they are asking you to trust that they know what they are doing.”

And that patient trust is exactly what makes SOFD a place of healing for so many. Throughout Dr. Phillips’ career, his loyal patients have been confident in his care in every

March 2014 • Welcome Home • 78260/78261

phase of their lives. And they have instilled that sense of loyalty in their children – the next generation of patients.

A family practice, SOFD sees people of all ages, beginning as young as four years old through geriatrics.

There are five physicians who are proud to be on the SOFD team. Dr. Phillips is joined in his practice by Wendy T. Nguyen, M.D., Rohan P. Coutinho, M.D., Stephanie A. Hoefle, M.D., and John Q. Nguyen, M.D. Each brings something unique to the practice, and ensures that patients will find a good fit with one of the doctors on staff.

“The key to a successful doctor/patient relationship is for

We strive each day to be a practice that emphasizes customer service and is a standout in the community, with good patient-physician relationships in a space that is technologically forward.”

– Tina, SOFD Business Administrator patients to find a doctor that they feel a connection with,” explained Tina.

One of the ways that SOFD is set apart from other medical practices in the area is their commitment to the families of Stone Oak. Patients who live in the Stone Oak area tend to stay local, and they want to see a doctor who is a part of their community. SOFD is conveniently located within an easy distance of North Central Baptist Hospital.

The proximity is important because the physicians at SOFD still make rounds to visit their patients at North Central Baptist. While many doctors have discontinued the practice of making hospital rounds, SOFD patients can trust that their physician will be there for them if they ever need to be hospitalized.

Going beyond their trustworthy reputation, SOFD strives to make the doctor visit experience as hassle-free as possible for the patient. In addition to regular appointments, SOFD recognizes that many injuries or sudden illnesses simply cannot be scheduled. For these needs, walk-ins are welcome through SOFD’s Express Care service. The physicians share Express Care duties, ensuring that a medical professional

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is always available to see walk-ins on a first come, first serve basis. Express Care services are available without an appointment continuously from 8 a.m.-4:15 p.m. on weekdays, although there is a limit to the number of patients that can be seen. Urgent Care Clinic, open on Saturdays from 10 a.m.-12 p.m., is available for non-chronic issues such as earaches and the flu.

Technologically speaking, SOFD strives to provide advanced concepts both to more effectively treat patients and also to streamline the paperwork process for patients.

One way that SOFD helps to create a better experience for patients is through the use of the on-site digital X-ray. The ability to digitally manipulate and send X-rays means that they can be sent for evaluation almost instantly, speeding up the wait time on patient results. Because the images are computer-based, the doctors are also able to quickly and easily perform analyses.

“We strive each day to be a practice that emphasizes customer service and is a standout in the community, with good patient-physician relationships in a space that is technologically forward,” explained Tina.

SOFD continues their outstanding customer service even as new federal regulations and alterations in healthcare become prevalent. SOFD remains dedicated to the Stone Oak community and focused on helping aid their patients to the best of their abilities, as they stay current with the upcoming changes.

Whatever the medical need, Stone Oak Family Doctors is prepared to help. The comprehensive family medicine practice provides services ranging from annual physicals, health screenings and vaccinations to X-rays, blood tests and lab services. Patients can rest assured knowing that they have a team of trustworthy medical professionals managing their health with their best interests in mind.

Stone Oak Family Doctors, P.A. 700 E. Sonterra Blvd., Suite 202 (210) 496-7999 www.sofdpaweb.com 17

Nursery School · After School Recreation · Mother’s Day Out Preschool · Private Kindergarten · Summer Camp

Now Enrolling for Summer Camp!

Rainbow Station is accredited by NAEYC.

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6519.01-WHNICU5x12.25_v2.indd www.welcomehomesa.com

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2/8/13 4:52 PM March 2014 • Welcome Home • 78260/78261

This Spring...

Start your morning right with a delicious breakfast at the

SKYBRIDGE

SOBA Breakfast Mixer

COMMUNITY CHURCH

Come

Worship

Pastor Russell Howelton

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et your alarm clock EARLY and join the Stone Oak Business Association on Thursday, March 20, for a GREAT opportunity to meet your Stone Oak business neighbors! Each attendee will be able to introduce themselves and their business—so don’t forget to bring your business cards!

with us

at MIDFIELD!

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(Indoor Soccer Field)

•

O

•

B

•

Date: Thursday, March 20

A

Stone Oak Business Association

4–Week Series:

Time: 7:30 – 9:30 AM (Breakfast Served at 8:15 AM) Location: The Egg & I 700 E Sonterra Blvd, 78258

“Living Strong”

Cost: $10 for Members & Non-Members

www.skybridgechurch.org To RSVP: 210-348-8233 E-mail: soba@satx.rr.com www.stoneoakbusiness.com

SERVICE TIMES: Sunday Worship 9:30 – 10:45 AM Children’s Sunday Ministry 8:45 – 9:45 AM Wednesday Bible Study 7:00 – 8:00 PM

LOCATION: Ice & Golf Center at Northwoods 17530 Henderson Pass San Antonio, TX 78232

SOBA • Building Relationships, Growing Businesses

Benefiting

15TH ANNUAL

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TH

15

UA ANN

Co-Presented By

Brighton Center’s

The Nort hside

A TASTE OF

C O - P R E S E N T E D

BY

LY N D

A N D

H - E- B

The Club At Sonterra

UPGRADE FOR A

EXPERIENCE

AT TASTE OF THE NORTHSIDE $

The official Event Planners for A Taste of the Northside

March 2014 • Welcome Home • 78260/78261

Wednesday, April 23, 2014 5:30pm to 10:30pm

• • • • • • •

200 Gets all of this: A Taste of the Northside Event Ticket Access to the exclusive VIP Lounge (The only indoor party spot!)

VIP Parking in covered parking garage Transportation to event in large reserved buses for our VIP’s Meet our “Fiesta Foodie” Tanji Patton from GoodTaste with Tanji Commemorative Taste of the Northside wine glass and butler tray VIP only wine & beer selections with Exclusive Chef Prepared Culinary

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$55 in advance

www.BrightonSA.org or San Antonio H.E.B. locations until 4/21/2014

$60 at the door

5 Live Bands Varied Wine & Beers Stella Artois Beer Garden Fireworks Finale EACH TICKET INCLUDES:

5 Drink Tickets 8 Food Tickets Free Parking & Shuttle

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B O U T I Q U E 19141 Stone Oak Parkway, Suite 806

210.978.4443 • 210.495.0258

10 OFF Dry Cleaning

$

(Min order of $ 40) Bring this coupon and receive 10 OFF with $ 40 of drycleaning.

Coupon must accompany incoming order.

Not valid w/other discounts or 3 pant special.

One coupon per day. Exp. 3/31/14 NC $

$

5 OFF

Cleaning

(Bedspreads & Comforters) Coupon must accompany incoming order.

Not valid w/other offer.

One coupon per day. Exp. 3/31/14 NC

50% OFF Dry Cleaning (Max discount $10)

Wearing apparel only. Not valid on household item, leather, or suede.

Coupon must accompany incoming order.

Not valid w/other discounts or 3 pant special.

One coupon per day. Exp. 3/31/14 NC

4th Men’s Shirt FREE Laundry Bring this coupon with 4 shirts and get your 4th shirt FREE.

PROM HOURS

Coupon must accompany incoming order.

Not valid w/other discounts.

Men’s shirts only.

MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY

One coupon per day. Exp. 3/31/14 NC

4:00 – 8:00 PM 11:30 – 6:00 PM 4:00 – 8:00 PM 11:30 – 6:00 PM 11:30 – 7:00 PM 11:00 – 5:00 PM 1:00 – 5:00 PM

We will NOT sell the same dress to the same school!

(Not responsible for what is ordered online.)

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www.welcomehomesa.com

March 2014 • Welcome Home • 78260/78261